DHSSJAB Cambodia Trip
In the Land of the Khmer
Kingdom of Cambodia, 2007

:D

Day 0 (The day before the flight)
Jade and Jessica came over at night.
Then used comp until about 11.30pm or so, till we left the house.
My mom sent us to the airport.
:D Some naggy pok always nag a lot, but thank you. :D

Played card games there, ate a bit, slept, while most of the rest went to Macs to sit on comfortable chairs. -_-
Met up with seniors.
Checked in, then took the plane.

Day 1
The flight was okay I guess. Kind of cool to be up in the sky, and among the clouds and everything. -_- But the pressure thingy was super annoying.
After all the checking in and stuff at Phnom Penh airport, we boarded the bus (which was to be with us for the next 6 days or so) and went to Town View Hotel, where we were going to stay for about the next 2 to 3 days.
At some point in time the streets had no markings at all, like for differentiating lanes and stuff; and there didn't seem to be any traffic lights nor crossings around. People seemed to jay like it was normal and legal.

The children on the streets would sell you postcards, which I heard were at exorbitant prices, but desperately lowered. They'd follow you all the way till they can't. That happened to Sir KK, I think. On one hand, I guess it's really annoying. Then again, it kind of tugs vigorously at one's heartstrings, if you have enough compassion. Feel really bad & guilty and stuff.
But if you donate, tons of others would be crowding around you in the next moment.

Grah, then you see the grandeur of the Royal Palae and all. Much is made from gold and stuff (I think). If they'd save on that and start helping the poor, it'd probably help more.

The sun was scorching hot when we visited the Royal Palace, Throne Hall, Silver Pagoda. We returned to the hotel after that visit, and had a bit of time to change into fresh clothes.

Our room was the largest of all, since it had to accomodate 3 people. I guess, being in Cambodia, I shouldn't have expected much of a super comfortable hotel. But at least we have a place to stay in, I suppose.
After that, most of us felt lethargic. Felt like it was already late afternoon, but was only about 1pm in reality. -_-
Had lunch at a restaurant. We had ice-cream too (though there were only 2 flavours - durian & coconut). -_-

Went to some mall or something to shop and spent lots of money. -_-
Then had a lesson on Cambodian language, or otherwise, Khmer.
Dinner was.. Well, there were many friends like ants and lizards.
Preparation back at the hotel for the high school & orphanage, then we got to sleep. :D


Day 2
The sleep wasn't that bad.
But we had a few problems with various friends visiting us. Somehow, I don't think my blood-sucking friend visited us in Cambodia. Then again, there were so many other friends, I might have missed him altogether.
-_- I didn't wear my brace for the entire day 'cause I either forgot to bring powder, or I just couldn't find it.
Went to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum after breakfast. It was extremely disturbing, what with the pictures of the people who got tortured, and even some of the instruments used. To add on, we even visited the Killing Fields. Remains like rags/clothes, and bones, too, lay in the ground we set foot on. Mass graves and all were there too. Literally millions of lives. Disgusting how people can tortures others to that extent.

We went on to the central market after that.
Shopping itself is sometimes bad enough. Shopping within a designated time is just stupid. -_-
Everyone else bought shirts and stuff. Lydia and I fancied this jersey, but there was only that one last piece left, so she bought it.
-_- Everyone was talking about what they bought, how cheap the shirts were, yaddayadda. -_- I was the only one who didn't buy lar. Vunderful. -_- Whatever.

Lunch was okay, I guess. The rice & soup was not bad.
After lunch on the bus, Mr Hia gave us mangosteens. Wahpiang, he even peeled for us can. So nice lar. :D
Liboon only wanted to eat when Mr Hia fed her leh. -_-
Think we're going to miss him when he retires. D:

Went back to the hotel to slack after that.
The high school visit was a new experience. We played with the younger kids first. I guess not all of them were cooperative, but some of them were more enthu. There was one enthu small boy and most of us wanted to take a picture with him, but he disappeared after the waterbreak we gave. -_-
Explaining the game was kind of difficult, with the language barrier. Like when we tried to explain Virus. We finished explaining and they seemed to have understood. When we told them to start, they began to form a circle (probably because of poison ball, which was the previous game) and linked hands. -_-
But for those games, they were simpler. We had to teach the older kids Captains' Ball when we switched. Wth. -_-
It was more complicated and they didn't get it. But when they finally understood and played, they were like super rowdy. So Jade & I just stood at one corner to stone. -_-
But in the midst of all, some people came up to talk & make friends and stuff. I guess some of them are quite friendly and nice lar.

Then we went to some brown tower. I don't know what its name was, but according to the schedule..
Wat Phnom -- A small hill crowned by an active Wat (Pagoda) which marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh, (Hill of Madam Penh).
Er. That's probably it, but I really don't know.
Took photos there. Then Jade started to feel sick, together with some others.
During dinner, more people got affected.
We had to sit in our teams for dinner, so Sgt Adelyn sat opposite me, Mr Hia on my right (he took Jade's place when she went to the toilet), Mr Chia opposite Mr Hia. Mdm XY on my left, Yiren opposite Mdm XY. -_-
Mdm XY kept making us (Sgt Adelyn, but she had no problem 'cause she would eat; Yiren, and me) eat. It was super funny lar. -_-
Then I didn't want to eat, so I just ate the bowl of rice for almost the entire duration. Then Mr Hia was like, "我们有一个专门吃白饭的 leh 。" -_-
But Sgt Adelyn was super nice. She helped me hide some dish that was on my plate.

Mdm XY: This one got eat not?
Me: Eat already..!
Mdm XY: Adelyn, she got eat not?
Adelyn: *Nods*

I didn't eat it lar. See, Sgt Adelyn so nice. :D

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and discussed for orphanage visit the next day, then went to bed.

Day 3
Felt super sleepy when I woke up. Realised my hair was in a big mess. But it was kind of cool (at least better than later on). I tried to flatten it and it became like shit. -_-
Hardly anyone wanted to eat breakfast, 'cause almost everyone was sick. I was the only abnormal shit who ate like crazy lar. -_- Damn. I need to lose weight.
Went back to the hotel room to slack and play cards. I was writing in my notebook (that's how I remember all the details lar, if not sure cannot remember anything. -_-)

Janson: You write all this for what? For your blog arh?
Cheryl: Huh? You got dog arh?

Cheryl: ...yaya then they always say "Eh you very mean leh.."
Janson: Yah then you tell them 'cause we go Cambodia eat too much mint liao.

WTF, super lame can. -_-

We went to the lobby to meet, then the sick ones went to see the doctor. The remaining 6 of us (survivors) -- Cheryl, Glada, Janson, KianKok, Haonan & I went to Cheryl's room. (I think Mr Hia and Sir KK weren't sick too. But I forgot exactly who lar) I stoned while they played cards. -_-
After some time, KianKok and Haonan went back to their rooms to sleep or something, so we talked crap.

Janson: Camwhore? What's that.
Cheryl: Huh? W-H-O-R-E?
Janson: Eh that's Ms Wee teach us the whore leh. That one means prostitute.
Cheryl: Huh? You want to call prostitute?

---

Me: *suddenly recalls* AHAHAHAHAHA PROSTITUTE.
Cheryl: Eh you all don't think dirty can or not.
Janson: Then you call prostitute do what. Orh come sit down 喝杯茶.
Me: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Janson: Orh call prostitute play chess with you.
Cheryl: Yah can what why not?

Then Janson watched some stupid wrestling show.

Janson: Wah they very muscular leh.
Cheryl: Do wrestlers have to wear bra?

We went for lunch at some housefly-infested place. But we got moved to VIP place of some sort, so it wasn't that bad.
Went to orphanage after that.
The children seemed super happy playing the games, even receiving the lollipops and gifts. I think we're super lucky 'cause we really get a conducive environment. They don't even have a proper terrain outside.
On the way back to the hotel we passed the high school.

Cheryl: Eh so cool they so small can ride bike liao (referring to high school students).
*Pauses*
Cheryl: ..Eh?

Then we showered and went for River Cruise. In the bus,

Cheryl: Eh I can smell the germs leh.

River Cruise was not bad. Again, a new experience. :D
Std2s were the only onse who were damn high lar. Everyone else was so sian. -_-

Went for dinner at the housefly-infested place again, but not in the VIP-or-something room. Guess the housefly situation wasn't as bad in the night compared to in the afternoon.
Got to sleep immediately after returning to the hotel, but the rest wanted to play and stuff. So they came over to our room while I slept. -_-

Day 4
Woke up and packed up a bit before going for breakfast. I ate a lot again. -_-
Went back to the hotel room to slack. Then it was cold inside.

Jade: Wahlaooo super cold leh.
Jessica: Ok I tell you more cold jokes.

Then went for the super long bus ride to Siem Reap. We stopped once after 2 hours or so, but there was nothing we could really buy. Janson ate some disgusting frog thingy. We continued the bus ride. It was crazy and fun lar. Even the seniors played games like whacking each other's hands and stuff.
We stopped for lunch at another housefly-infested place. It was damn disgusting and lots of people didn't eat.
After lunch we went on the bus and were on our way again. This time most people got tired and slept. -_- I slept for quite a bit too.
When we finally reached, we checked in and the hotel rooms were SUPER ULTRA nice can. I mean, considering it being Cambodia and all.
But all the rooms were of equal size, so the 3 of us didn't get any privileges. Instead, we got smaller beds. -_-
Went to some arts school thing also, I think.
Dinner was not bad - finally. We watched some cultural show or something, and felt even more sleepy.
Back at the hotel, we took out gifts for the 'mystery person' and went to the lobby. We picked names to determine who we were to give them to, and had to find out either 3 interesting facts about him/her or learn a trademark action of theirs. I got Haonan, so I handed him the box of chocolates. The first interesting fact he told me was, "I don't like sweet things."

Then Sir Wenbin got my name and I got a mug from him.
Told him 3 super lame and stupid stuff 'cause I didn't know what to say. -_- Realised later I could've said other stuff, like maybe my brace or something. -_-
Got to shower, then slept. :D

Day 5
Sleep was good. Still felt sleepy after waking up. Went to wash up while both of the others were still in bed. I was probably too noisy or something, 'cause Jade woke up.
Went downstairs, and breakfast was NICE. :D
It was more Western and stuff lar. And the food was nicer than the previous hotel. Then went upstairs, and watched the rest play Twister.
Set off for Angkor Wat. It was sian 'cause I wasn't interested, and the weather was being mean.

Sir Dickson: Do you know why this place is called Angkor Wat?
*Pauses*
Sir Dickson: 'Cause last time always flood, then the people all ankle wet.

Someone: Knock knock.
Someone else: Who's there?
Someone: Angkor.
Someone else: -_-

Super tired and kind of suffocating. (Somehow lar, because I don't think my brace was that tight.) Even left my camera in the small bus. Wth, damn stupid. Then nice Wenny helped me tell Sir Pia Leong and super nice Sir Pia Leong ran all the way to help get it. THANK YOU Wenny & Sir & Jack. :D
Didn't really have lunch, I guess. There were houseflies there, as usual. Ate some weird kuayteow thingy and drank some of the soup. -_- It was Lydia's bowl, but I think I ate majority of it. Sorry Lydia. ><
Then we had a choice of going to the Central Market to shop, or go back to the hotel. I chose the latter, initially to rest, 'cause I think I was feeling super tired & uncomfortable.
Remembered there were comps at the hotel, so Lydia, Wenny & I decided to buy 30 minutes.
:D

Went back to the hotel to slack and stuff, then gathered at the lobby to continue the visit to the Angkor Temples. It got slightly better I guess. Weather was still hot most of the time, but took more group photos and stuff.
We had to climb some steps to get to the top of some thingy. (In pictures) -_- The steps had barely enough space to step on, plus it was super steep. And there're no railings whatsoever for you to get up. -_-
Getting up there wasn't that bad, I guess. But after we were done taking photos and all, we had to get down. It was equally steep. This time we queued to get down, 'cause we went down by a different route, which had one railing. -_- Scary.

Some Std3: Lucky Eve never come. If not arh, wahlao.
Some other Std3: Wahlao, she sure scream ..

-_- Something along those lines.

Went to the Bakheng Mountain. It was planned that we watch the sunset or something, I think. But we had to leave early or something, so we didn't get to see the sun really set. When we left on the bus, then we got to see the sky. It was beautiful - red, blue, ..
Somehow it didn't seem as nice as 0903.
Felt a bit like I was having a fever or something, but got to rest a while in the hotel before going for dinner.
Dinner was buffet, in teams again.
Quite fun lar. Mdm XY didn't make us eat 'cause it was buffet. LOL.

Went to Pub Street. Teams A & D went together. The iced coffee was not bad. :D
sat opposite Mdm XY (-_-) & Mdm PearlNing, Jade on my right. The four of us played some lame game using the things to put our drinks. LOL.
Then Xinyi, Mdm XY, Mdm PearlNing, Sgt Zhiying, Sgt Adelyn & Jade played 猜拳 or something. LOL. Damn funny when people get drawn on. Xinyi, Mdm XY, Mdm PearlNing (who got both sides of the face drawn on) Sgt Zhiying, all had drawings on their faces. LOL.
After that Jade & I were teasing talking to Sgts and stuff. They were super funny lar. -_

Day 6
Woke up at about 4.30am. Super sleepy. Took turns to wash up, slept more, last check around and packing. Breakfast, then left.
Checked in.
Then after the security check when we were queueing for the next thingy,

Mr Chia: Aiyah 把有铁的东西都拿出来就好了。
Me: Cannot take out..!
Mr Chia: Oh understand, understand. (I think he misunderstood)
Lydia: It's not bra leh it's brace.
Mr Chia: Huh? o.o

Then flight back, reached Singapore, went home.


I guess the trip was really enriching and enjoyable.

Again, pictures here.

:D